This year’s summer opera evening in the gardens of Chiswick House will take place on Thursday 25th June when the Garden Opera Company will perform The Barber of Seville, a comic caper by Gioacchino Rossini.

This is the fifth year that the Friends of Chiswick House have promoted an evening of opera in partnership with the Garden Opera Company.

The setting, the gardens of one of the most glorious examples of 18th-century British architecture, has become a mainstay of the summer calendar in west London and is again expected to attract a wide local audience.

The informal ambience and wonderful gardens, in the process of being restored, encourages picnics to be enjoyed before the event and in the interval. The event’s main sponsor is local brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner who will provide a bar pavilion in the grounds for purchases of wine, champagne and beer on the evening.

Founded in 1994, 2009 is the Garden Opera Company's 15th season. Productions are sung in English by young professional singers with an acclaimed chamber ensemble accompaniment. Their entertaining, intimate and approachable style attracts opera-lovers and absolute newcomers alike.

The Barber of Seville is a gloriously sunny comedy and the ultimate summer evening opera, perfectly suited to the stunning location of Chiswick House Grounds which were designed by the third Earl of Burlington (1694-1753), who drew inspiration from his ‘grand tours’ of Italy to create this elegant classical villa.

Diane Treganowan, this year’s Opera Chair explains, “The summer opera is one of the Friends’ key fundraising events, last year raising a record-breaking £17,000 which helps the Friends’ many projects that support the restoration and improvement of Chiswick House and its gardens. We are aiming to raise more than last year with many new opportunities for local businesses to support the event.”